Appeals against charges paid to local authoritiesU.K.
59.—(1) Any person who has paid a charge for veterinary checks to a local authority, and any organisation representing such persons, may, within twenty-one days of the charge being made, appeal in writing on the ground that the amount of the charge is unreasonable—
(a)to the Secretary of State, where the charge is for veterinary checks carried out otherwise than in relation to any function of the Agency; and
(b)to the Agency, where the charge is for veterinary checks carried out in relation to any function of the Agency.
(2) Where there is an appeal under paragraph (1), the Secretary of State or the Agency, as the case may be, must—
(a)consult with the local authority; and
(b)if satisfied that the amount of the charge is unreasonable, so inform the local authority.
(3) When informed under paragraph (2)(b), the local authority must—
(a)recalculate the amount of the charge in accordance with any directions given by the Secretary of State or the Agency, as the case may be; and
(b)repay to the person who has paid the charge the difference between the original charge and the recalculated charge.